Another big increase in waste recycling has been announced by Cherwell District Council.

Figures show the three-box scheme launched in August is reducing the amount of waste going to landfill sites by 40 per cent.

Under the system -- which has met with some opposition from residents -- household rubbish and recyclable waste is collected fortnightly on alternate weeks.

Norman Bolster, the council's executive member for the environment, said: "We're now recycling 75 per cent more than with the previous paper-only blue box scheme.

"With 34,000 out of 55,000 households using the new system, the reduction in landfill use is a great Christmas present for the environment."

The figures show that:

More than 1,350 tons of garden waste have been sent for composting at local farms

About 150 tons of paper, cans and plastic are sent for recycling every week

15,000 people have asked for extra blue recycling boxes or bins

It is the third recycling increase announced by the council since August.

Before the scheme started, Cherwell recycled only 11 per cent of its waste, and the council is aiming to increase that to more than 30 per cent.

The scheme involves householders sorting their rubbish into three bins. Brown containers are provided for garden waste, blue bins or boxes for paper, plastic and cans, and green bins are issued for other waste.

Some residents have complained about the two-week collection rota. They say household waste smells in hot weather, and that one bin is not big enough for two-weeks rubbish. But the council says it is committed to the scheme, and offers residents an advice service.